Dream Big Fund- Please Vote for Me & help my Career dreams come true!!

Hello Friends- Never have asked for voting help before but I am trying to win the "dream big fund" for mamas who have started their own new business. The winnings will help me get a bit of money to put towards marketing as well as truly help to get my name and business out to the masses in Los Angeles. It takes 1 minute to go to the link and help me realize a new dream! Would be greatly appreciated.  The new and exciting part of my business that I am adding to the Nutrition Consultations and Yoga/Pilates is working with moms to be in preparation for pregnancy even 6 mos. to 1 year out from conception in order to prime and prepare the body. As well as working with women during pregnancy and postpartum. Thanks! xoxox


Click here to vote:

Dream Big: Fund a Mom Project - bellysprout

www.bellysprout.com


Here is my proposal info.-

I started my Nutrition business last Fall so I have been officially in business for just under or around a year. The name of my business is simply my name, as I offer both nutrition consultations as well as yoga/pilates instruction. My website is www.mcleanmcgown.com. The reason that I am applying for this dream big fund is because since I became pregnant and had my little girl (just 3 weeks ago) I realized that moms to be, pregnant mamas and postpartum moms need help and useful guidance!!! Real deal things that work in preparation for growing a baby in the healthiest body possible. It is now my absolute passion to cater to women who are a year or six months out from wanting to become pregnant. I was my own guinea pig. I prepped my body for a year before conceiving and it made a world of difference. I have always been obsessed, intrigued, and passionate about health and healing. I grew up as a dancer and started practicing yoga at the age of 15 which then led me down the path of becoming both a Certified Pilates and Yoga teacher right as I hit my 20’s. As my own passion grew for ways of eating I naturally began sharing my knowledge with friends, family and clients. Soon friends and friends of friends were emailing and calling me for nutrition advice. In 2010 I became a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and also completed an advanced course with Natalia Rose (raw food guru).

When I knew that I wanted to start down the road of conception I decided to take my cleansing to the next level. I became committed to preparing and drinking large amounts of fresh vegetable juices daily for a year. I pretty much at a raw vegan diet but ate healthy cooked food when I felt my body needed it. All of the issues that I was having with my body cleared up. I had boundless energy, my skin was radiant and I was at my slimmest while also being my healthiest and most balanced. The first time that I “tried” to get pregnant I conceived. My husband is 17 years older than me and we were pretty shocked that it happened so quickly. I was elated and grateful. I know it was because my body was as healthy as it could be. I have to say that my pregnancy was not easy. I was nauseated and sick for 5.5 months. I lost weight and could not work much. It was difficult and very frustrating to not be as active as I always had been. The one thing that kept me going was the fact that my body was full of nutrition from the past year to grow a healthy and vibrant baby!! That is when I truly realized how important it is to prepare the body in advance. Basically fill the tank with as much live organic food as possible because you never know how your pregnancy will be and what food you will actually be able to get down. I was sick on and off throughout the rest of my pregnancy and at some points my midwives were worried that my baby was not growing enough. Well, I just birthed a 21 inch 7.8 lbs. baby girl who is thriving!! I have lost almost all of my baby weight in 3 weeks, am healing well and feel great (aside from lack of sleep). I spoke with and guided quite a few women throughout my pregnancy who wanted advice on how to prepare and get through their own pregnancy. My main focus is on raw juicing, unprocessed food, and meeting clients in a way that fits their lifestyle. I am all about helping women find their middle path, to steer away from the extremes and diet dogma.

 

If I were to win this dream big fund I would use the money for marketing purposes. I put a lot of time, energy and money into redesigning my website a few months ago but need to get myself and my message out to the masses of LA to really start making my dream a reality!!! I believe that I have something apart from other nutritionists to offer as I have years of training and personal experience. I will help women on their journey from pregnancy preparation to postpartum. I can help women and families learn to make healthier choices, juice, grocery shop, and menu plan. As a side perk I can also help women through pre and post-natal yoga as well. The mind and body are interconnected and one realizes how true that is during their own pregnancy. I am compassionate towards and passionate about helping women feel empowered, strong and honest about their pregnancy and health experiences. I hope that you will consider me for the winner of the dream big fund. For information about me and what I do, please visit my website atwww.mcleanmcgown.com.

 

In peace and health,

McLean McGown 

Prenatal Yoga Video Shoot

Today was a first for me, of being a yoga model for a video shoot. It was fun! Anusara based prenatal workout for a new yoga mat. We were there almost 8 hours. Not always moving but barely slept a wink last night so pretty tired. Was fun to be back in front of the camera. Its still in my blood. More on that later. Must figure out how to combine all of the passions I have to pave my own way and make some money. Brain wheels are spinning. Anyway, had a really fun day being on set, being with awesome pregnant mamas and our great teacher Jessica Jennings. Will be fun to show the baby how she did yoga in her mama’s belly. When the product comes out will let you know. Should be pretty cool. Grateful and full of baby love today. Not anxious :)

xoxo,mc

Um....I am now officially F-ing Huge.

This is me today. 34 weeks. I now officially huge and although I love having had her inside me, I am over it and ready to have her on the outside. Literally, in 2-3 weeks. Thats it. Done. Not trying to be ungrateful or controlling or pressure her exit but really enough is enough. No sleep, nausea is back, hard to eat much and nothing looks good to me except for random drinks and sweet things. Feeling swollen and hot and want her in my arms!!! Visited with a new friend today who was in my birth class. She had a very short labor. Something like I’d like to have. Was only at the hospital with her midwives for an hour before baby Belle was born. Amazing. Anyway, newborns are teeny weeny!!! I forget how tiny. She was so precious and slept for the 3 hours I was there in her mom’s arms. So sweet. And her mom was so chill and relaxed, not hyper or neurotic. Really nice to see. So curious what our labor and birth will look like. Hard to even imagine. My life is really about to change. I have been super gung ho nester today. Awoke to have the AC guy come fix something. Then packed up a big load to cart off to storage. Luckily it is literally next door to our loft so my wonderful neighbor let me use her push cart. Took mason jars, 10 teapots, bowls, books, and other things we don’t use daily in order to make more room in our cupboards. Our loft is minimal and we do not have a lot of storage space, and what we do have is very streamlined and orderly. Feels really good. Rearranged the book shelves, de-cluttered A LOT. Now just to get the baby room door built, sell a car and buy a car! Must go shower, chant and get ready for bed now. Shooting a prenatal yoga DVD all day tomorrow. Sweet dreams!

xoxox,mc

Learning a lot about Boobs today

This morning I went to my first La Leche League meeting and tonight I have a 3 hour breastfeeding class. So basically my day is all about boobs. I still haven’t quite wrapped my head around the fact that my little boobs (now not so little and growing…) are going to be another human’s only food source for a longtime. How crazy is that?!!! Anyway, I really loved my class this morning. I am trying to get and stay as supported as I can throughout my new mommy time. I know it will be really important to have a network of moms for support. Because its all so new and there are so many ways to do everything and so much to learn!!! I think I have reached my reading quota. My doula actually told me to put down the books. It all becomes a bit too overwhelming. I like hearing stories and learning from people first hand. There were new and old moms, newborns to toddlers, all giving and receiving support. Really beautiful. And as I was the only new and expectant mother, they all went around the circle and shared their top advice for post-partum with me. Words of encouragement, tips they had learned. I felt honored to be immediately part of a nice new network. Normally I would be super shy to just turn up to a new meeting but the leader was my Bradley Method teacher who I love. Still strange to see strangers boobs but I think I will probably get used to that very soon, when my boob modesty goes out the window. Breastfeeding is obviously the most natural thing ever but also can be way more complicated than one thinks. I have heard horror stories and some things people said today did in all honesty freak me out, like being sleep deprived for YEARS. But hopefully my lil’ girl will latch on easily and we’ll be off and feeding immediately. I also set up her first pediatrician appointment today which made this all super real!!!!! Getting excited and trying to just get out of my head and go with it. The more I think, the more neurotic I become. And I cannot control any of it anyway, so think I need to enter into a bit of lala land about it all. I know the info. and now I just need to let wash over me and let it go….

xxox,mc

Iced Green Tea Chai

I love iced drinks. Always have. I was once known as the beverage queen. If you opened my refrigerator all you would see were condiments and drinks and maybe some teeth whitener. My poor mom when she would come to visit, would joke that she was on the McLean starvation diet. I did eat. I just did not keep food in my house. Or much food. But always beverage, and lots of em’. I did not always feel “safe” having food around which is “normal” if you have issues with eating, and therefore food. But thats a whole other topic altogether. My point today is that its awesome to have yummy cold drinks on hand for when the desire strikes. I must admit that I have spent too much money this summer on iced green tea lemonades at Starbucks. I just want big cold drinks all of the time. And while pregnant, it really hits the spot. Iced drinks and smoothies are two of my very favorite things. This morning on my way out to temple, I brewed a few cups of green tea chai, added a bit of agave, then poured some over ice for the road and put the rest in the fridge. It is extremely low in caffeine but gives you the taste of subtle yummy chai. Its the Yogi Tea brand. Happy drinking it right now. Have a lovely Sunday everyone!

xox,mc

Choline! If you like Eggs you're in luck.

So I am usually not an egg eater. But as I have chronicled, have had to give into the protein gods and put my desires and food ego aside. But I have actually grown to love a hard boiled egg with a bit of salt and pepper. They are the perfect snack or meal. For whatever reason, my preggo body is responding well to them. The protein keeps my baby growing well and developing her brain while also keeping my body unbloated. Protein is great to eat if you are a sweller. It keeps the bloat and edema down. Anyway, came across this article about choline and what an important nutrient it is. So if you like eggs and are having a baby girl, you could be doing her a world of good. There are other ways to find choline in foods as well as supplements. But I am sticking by my organic, grass fed, omega 3, brown, hard boiled eggs for now.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081201144603.htm

xoxxo,mc

Hitting the Preggo Wall

Every pregnant woman hits their wall. And very likely they do so a few times. Well, I have hit mine. Just being honest here. I am barely sleeping through the night, at all. I have to get up 5-6 times a night to go to the bathroom. And napping has been near impossible because ya know I have a life and a lot on my plate. Even though I am trying not to have a lot going on, there are a lot of various things that pull my hours and days into different directions. The afternoons creep by with nary a nap. Last night was bad, barely slept at all. Therefore I thought and thought and worked myself into an anxiety tizzy. I know this is "normal" at this time. I am about to birth a human. Not only that, because really thats only one event, but the big thing is keeping it alive. My mind was full of rational and irrational fears. I wanted to throw up. So fearful. I guess this is the new part of becoming a mother. The worrying never will really cease. My hormones are going nutso. I feel huge and hot and things are hurting. I want to have her on the outside now, over the inside part. But still have to fix up her room, buy a new car (!), buy rugs, get the animals ready, build a door to her room, find her a doctor, etc. Its a lot. Plus still trying to work some and see people and friends before my life becomes way more harried. Not that I am complaining. Or I am not trying to. Just stating the facts. Its a lot. Was talking to a mom friend of mine today who said she knew exactly where I was. You wake up one day and go "Okay, I am finished. Over it. Lets do this". I guess it is the genius plan to get women to let go of their fears and actually want to give birth. Because lets face it, birth is scary as hell and pretty gross. I have just come around to embracing the birthing process. I am kind of a prude and have always been grossed out by it. Sorry, its true. In birth class my husband is saying "look how beautiful" as we watch the birth videos and I am the one in fetal position looking disgusted and muttering "Fuuuuck"! But the more I have watched and learned, the more empowered I have become. Our society definitely does not show or talk about positive birth experiences. The one birth I have (partially) witnessed, I fainted. All of our books, movies, and reality shows show fear, drugs, emergency, etc. Why would we embrace it? Anyway, I have a good 6-8 weeks left and I am not sure exactly how I am going to get tehre. But I know I will. I need to draw deeper into my spiritual practice, let go, give in, surrender my control and trust this baby girl and the process. But I would be very happy if she came happy and healthily on the early side of things ;)
xoxox,mc